“Why don’t you like it?”
“I’m not a corporation,” I said simply. “I just started one. This isn’t my version of a ‘nobody cries for the King’ speech, by the way. I don’t need tears or sympathy. What I need is to fill that gap so we can stop wasting time on unnecessary distrust and feelings of intimation.”
“You want me to speak human for you?” There was a tone of understanding in her voice, which I hadn’t expected.
It was difficult for me to explain what it was I thought she could do for me. I’d figured once she started, she’d get it almost immediately. But it sounded like she already had.
“Exactly. I’ll get you some files ready on what the logistics would be this week and we can discuss it on Friday?”
“I can start today,” she said, leaning forward just slightly.
I pressed my lips together and glanced down at my watch. “Unfortunately, it’s going to take me some time to get the information together. I want to find client files and examples that will make it clear why I need you and what you can do. I just don’t have time to do that today.”
I didn’t really have time to do it all week, but I’d have to make time. We had several contracts to negotiate in the pipeline, and if Gianluca and I continued to hulk smash our way through them, we were sure to lose some of them.
Addy chewed on her lower lip before glancing around the office. “I can help you look for them today if you’d like?”
“It’s more complicated than that. I’m going to have to think of situations where I’ve felt that gap the most palpably, which you obviously can’t help with. I’m also going to have to put briefs together for you, to give a picture of each situation.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do today?” She twisted her fingers together in her lap, and her brow furrowed. “I could even get you coffee or whatever.”
“Why do you want to start today so badly? This job is yours. It’s not going anywhere.”
“Yeah, but my apartment might be.” She fidgeted some more, then let out a deep sigh. “I still don’t have enough money to pay my rent if I want to eat for the rest of the month. I hate to sound so desperate, but is there any way I can start today?”
“How much is your rent?” I asked.
She pulled her head back, her eyes filling with suspicion. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I extended my leg and leaned back a little in the chair so I’d be able to get my wallet out of my pocket. “How much do you need?”
“Three hundred, but I’m not taking charity. I don’t mind doing any work you might have lying around. I could even do some filing for you.”
“I have a whole room full of assistants who keep our filing up to date.” I took a wad of cash out of the sleeve in my wallet. “It’s not charity. It’s an advance. I’ll get the information ready for you tomorrow.”
“Why are you doing this?” She eyed the cash but didn’t touch it.
I got up and walked around the coffee table to her on the couch, then placed the money in her palm before going back to my seat. “You’re going to be an investment for me, Addy. I know you’re not going to run away with the money.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, her fingers finally closing around it. “I’ll wait to hear from you then, I guess.”
“You won’t have to wait long,” I promised. I had a feeling she was going to get anxious if she didn’t hear from me soon.
I didn’t want that for her. I had a feeling she was going to be a lot of help to me. If nothing else, she was going to be a breath of fresh fucking air in this office. There were way too many uptight, harried, wound-up businessmen and women around here.
We needed someone fresh and different. Addy definitely fit that bill.
Chapter 8
Addy
I left Marco’s office with a spring in my step after giving him my contact information. It was finally starting to feel like things were going my way.
For years, I had been struggling to make ends meet and keep my head above water. With a job at a company like his, I had a shot at changing that.
Not to mention the eye candy I would have all day. In the soft light of morning, Marco was even more attractive than I’d thought. Or maybe I’d just tried to downplay his good looks since Friday.
Those milk-chocolate eyes were most definitely flecked with gold and amber. His frame was much larger standing up than I’d realized when he had been sitting on that stool at the club. He had to be a few inches over six feet without an ounce of fat on him.
The dove gray suit he had worn today fit like they had made it for him. Now that I knew who he was, it made a hell of a lot of sense. Ricci Logistics was massive.
I didn’t know much about the transport and logistics industry, but even I had heard of his company. He was something of a local hero. A hometown boy who had built his empire from scratch and had stayed in his hometown to do it. Apparently, he had offices in many of the major centers in Italy and in some other countries, but he’d kept his head office in Florence where he’d been born and bred.
My internet searches had brought up thousands upon thousands of hits on him. I’d read the basics, enough to know who I was potentially going to work for. But I hadn’t delved much deeper than that.
I’d decided that I wanted to learn who he
